Fun site

Now that winter is setting in, we are all looking for more activities for our kids. Here is a great site with thousands of different coloring pages... and the best thing is... it is FREE!!!!! Print and ENJOY!!!!

www.freecoloringpagefun.com

Reality

No one prepares you for all the changes kids bring. We haven't gone on many vacations since the kids arrived. Right now we are in Fl. Dh is doing the Iron Man race (140.6 miles swimming, biking, running) on Saturday. We came down to support him and to have a little vacation.

So, currently the twins are asleep and Dh is at a meeting and dinner. I am here. In the room. The TV and the internet are my companions.

I never thought about it before kids. When you are on vacation, you don't have the same resources as at home. Unless you take a sitter or are near friends/family... you are on your own.

My kids go to bed at 7:30. So, that is it. The evening is done. We can sit in the room and watch a movie or sip a glass of wine, but that is it. We are stuck in the room.

I love my kids. I wouldn't change things for the world... but this is the reality. No more going out. No more walking on the beach in the moonlight. No more laying by the pool to read a book.

I'm here... doing my job. I am their Mommy!

Changes

So, last Wednesday I took Z to get his first REAL haircut. I took a picture before... the whole haircutting experience was traumatic for both of us. He screamed and hyperventilated the entire time. It was horrible.

But, I am not writing about that. No, afterward I picked up the camera to take another picture... and the lens is stuck. It won't go in. It won't go out. My little digital that has taken Oh SO MANY pictures and recorded so many events from pregnancy through the kids first 19 months is caput! AGggghhhhh!!!!

I am at a loss. I didn't realize how much I relied on it!

So, no new pictures. I did however get out my old, very beautiful, SLR camera. The feel of it in my hands was like meeting an old friend. I have taken about 4 rolls in 2 days! I know, it is a bit excessive, but I don't want to miss anything.

Now, I have to get them all developed... Hopefully, I can get them put directly on disk... and maybe then you will see pictures again.

First trip to Natural Science Museum

Cute Diapered Bums

I tried to take some pictures of the twins for a cloth diaper contest... never submitted the pictures, but you can see the fun of my afternoon. They are the cutest diapered bums in the world!

Poor Little Man

I went to play Bunco last night. I don't remember the last time dh has called me to ask me to come home... I think maybe when they were brand new. Anyway, I rushed home as Z had been crying since about 7:30. It was close to 10.

Dh had him mostly calmed when I arrived. He nursed and I put him to bed. Dh and I caught up for a bit... Then Z started sobbing again. He cried until about midnight. We gave him tylenol. He slept. About 1:30 woke crying again. Around 3:30 or 4 he went back to sleep after some motrin. Around 6:15 they were up for the day... with a temp over 102.

Took him to the Dr. He has an ear drum infection... different from the regular ear infections. Poor guy.

It is 10:55. He has been asleep since 7:30. Why am I still awake????!!!! Off to bed!

A real conversation

I was changing B's diaper and we had a conversation. I think this is the longest one so far.

Me: Reny is coming over.

B: (signing "baby) Babyyyyyyy

Me: Yes, Reny is a baby. Baby Reny.

B: Waaaa Waaa Waaa

Me: Yes, Babies cry. They go Waaa Waaa.

B: Good job!!

Going to bed... me

So, I went to bed around 11... AGAIN. I know I should be going to bed at 10. My body needs sleep... but I can't make myself. Is anyone else in this boat?

The twins go down around 7:30 or 8. Then, dh is either out training or we watch a show together. Around 9:30-10 he goes to bed. Then it is just me.

There I am. No one to wait on. No reason to clean. No one to watch over. Nothing but me, the computer, TV, books, etc. I check e-mails. I catch up on shows. I do things for me. It is quiet. It is nice.

Then, around 10:45 I realize I should already be in bed. I kick myself for staying up so late. Once in bed I can't sleep because I need even more time to wind down. Around 12 or 1 I am usually asleep.

I didn't use to have this problem... but then... I didn't use to have kids. Do I need to be more disciplined? Do I need to find other "me" time? Or can I just keep going on like this?

Museum visit

Last week we went to a local museum. The kids had a blast banging on the drums and bells... and playing in the toddler area. I also included a video of B chasing a ball in a little maze. It cracks me up how she runs side to side, chasing it!!!

Playing on the Tiger Pillow with Daddy

First head wound

I haven't posted about this yet... even though it happened on Monday. I don't know what my excuse is. Is the fact that I have 2 toddlers that are climbing, throwing fits, and acting like they have no idea what the word "no" means good enough? ;)

Anyway, on Monday morning we were trying to get out the door. I was going to take them to the mall that has our favorite play place. Shoes were on, bags were packed... just needed the sippies. As I'm in the kitchen fixing the sippies B and Z start fighting over the crate of Thomas Train stuff. I went over to help solve the problem.

B got mad that she wasn't getting her way, right away, and threw herself back. This happens numerous times a day right now... but she just happened to be right in front of the brick fireplace. (*** Note, yes, I have covered it, put pillows on it, used the bumpers, they take it all off. There is only about a foot showing... and this is where she hit.)

I could do nothing to stop it. It was in slow motion... her falling back and hearing the SMACK as her head and the brick collided.

She cried for about 5 seconds. I scooped her up to check her. She screamed and thrashed around to get down. It hardly fazed her!

I found a nice little gash on the back of her head. It was bleeding, but not bad. I took a picture to send to DH so he could help me decide if a trip to the Dr. was in order. He thought not... I needed piece of mind. So, he headed home (after only being at work 2 hours after an hour drive there). He didn't want me to take 3 toddlers to the Dr... especially if she had to get stitches.

Dr. was glad I brought her in. The gap was big/deep enough. They spoke of gluing, but her hair would be in the way. So, they had me hold her tight... and they STAPLED it! (What happened to stitches? When did glue and stapling become the norm?) They didn't numb her or anything... she sat stunned for a second, then SCREAMED for about 30 seconds... then was done. She is such a trooper.

Here is the before... don't look if you get sick easily.